vibration damper

Abstract

Vibration damper (1) comprising a vibration mass (4) movably arranged in a housing (3) via elastic suspension means (2), wherein the suspension means (2) are designed as spring and / or damping elements and each suspension means (2) has, at least in its installation position in the housing (3) of the vibration damper (1), an elongated and curved section (5) facing the vibration mass (4), to which the vibration mass (4) is connected, characterized in that the suspension means (2) is an elastomeric band (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vibration damper comprising a vibration mass movably arranged in a housing via elastic suspension means, wherein the suspension means are designed as spring and / or damper elements. Each suspension means, at least in its installed position in the housing of the vibration damper, has an elongated and curved section facing the vibration mass, to which the vibration mass is connected.

[0002] In automotive engineering, a well-known problem is that vehicle seats, and especially those located in the rear of the passenger compartment, tend to vibrate undesirably due to the transmission of chassis vibrations during driving. This results particularly in vibrations of the headrests and regularly reduces passenger comfort, sometimes even leading to a negative feeling of well-being.

[0003] The problem of vibration excitation is further compounded in electric vehicles, which usually have a deep, level floor with high, freestanding seating systems.

[0004] To minimize the vibrations occurring in motor vehicle seats, it is common practice to connect them, especially in the area of ​​the backrest, with a vibration damper.

[0005] Such a vibration damper for attachment to a motor vehicle seat is known from DE 10 2005 019 323 B3, wherein the vibration damper comprises a vibration mass connected to a support frame. The connection is realized via two elastic connecting elements integrally molded onto the vibration mass and the support frame, specifically by vulcanizing the connecting elements made of natural rubber.

[0006] A vibration damper is also disclosed in DE 10 2014 206 232 A1. In this design, the vibration mass of the damper is arranged in a damper housing and connected to it via four solid damping elements that support the vibration mass. The damping elements themselves are elastically designed and have a comparatively complex structure. A substantially pin-shaped projection of each damping element engages in an opening in the vibration mass, with the engagement depth limited by a flange. The vibration mass is suspended from the damper housing by a foot formed on each damping element. The respective foot of each of the four damping elements is inserted into a guide formed on a wall of the damper housing, allowing the vibration mass to move freely.A disadvantage of such a solution is the comparatively high number of components required and the complex structure of the damping elements.

[0007] US Patent 2017 / 0058984A1 (D5) also discloses a vibration damper, wherein the vibration mass of the vibration damper is movably arranged relative to a frame of the vibration damper via semi-spiral flexible arms connected to supports.

[0008] US 2011 / 0017561A1 (D4) also describes a vibration damper whose oscillating mass is movably connected to a housing via several wire springs. The wire springs are formed from rope elements, which in turn are made of steel.

[0009] Furthermore, US patent 2016 / 0298300A1(D3) describes a vibration damper of the type mentioned above, in which the vibrating mass is movably arranged within a housing via a rubber-coated steel ring. The steel ring provides elasticity to the suspension, while the rubber contributes to the damping properties.

[0010] Against this background, the invention is based on the objective of designing a vibration damper of the type mentioned above in such a way that a simplified structure with a reduced number of components is achieved while maintaining essentially the same damping properties.

[0011] This problem is solved with a vibration damper according to the features of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to particularly advantageous further developments of the invention.

[0012] According to the invention, a vibration damper is provided – particularly for installation on a vehicle seat and / or seating system, preferably a rear seating system of a motor vehicle – wherein the vibration damper comprises a vibration mass movably arranged in a housing via elastic suspension means. The suspension means are designed as spring and / or damping elements. Furthermore, according to the invention, each suspension means, at least in its installed position in the housing of the vibration damper, has an elongated and curved section facing the vibration mass, to which the vibration mass is connected. By designing the suspension means with a curved section, the number of necessary components and thus the complexity of the vibration damper's construction can be advantageously minimized while maintaining consistent damping properties in all three spatial directions.This minimization also reduces assembly effort and, consequently, the overall cost of manufacturing the vibration damper, considering all optimizations. In a preferred embodiment, to minimize the number of components, only two suspension points should be provided for attaching the vibration mass to the housing, thus connecting the vibration mass to the suspension points at two locations. In a preferred design of the vibration mass with a substantially cuboid shape and therefore a rectangular cross-section, the vibration mass would be suspended from the housing by means of the suspension points via two of its opposite faces. However, it is also possible to provide four suspension points and thus attachment via four suspension points.Furthermore, when designing the curved section of the respective suspension element itself, it is conceivable that it has a constant or an inconsistent radius of curvature, and there is also the possibility that at least part of the section has a constant and at least part of the section has an inconsistent radius of curvature.

[0013] Furthermore, the suspension element according to the invention is an elastomeric band. Such an elastomeric band, or rubber band, would, when not in its installed position, have a ring shape, the depth of which would be selected to provide sufficient stiffness to support the vibration mass while simultaneously allowing vibrations normal to the housing plane. This vibration direction normal to the housing plane is essentially parallel to the direction of travel of a motor vehicle when the vibration damper is attached to the backrest of a motor vehicle seat. The specific damping properties of the vibration damper, required for different motor vehicle seats, for example, can be adjusted in particular by selecting the elastomer and its dimensions, such as the radius or length, thickness, and depth, in conjunction with the vibration mass.

[0014] A further embodiment of the invention is characterized as promising if each suspension element is connected to the vibrating mass and / or the housing via a positive fit and / or a frictional fit. In a suitably advantageous embodiment, the suspension element would be a leaf spring, such a leaf spring being a component available in a large number of variants and thus easily tunable with respect to a wide range of predetermined damping characteristics.

[0015] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, each suspension element is connected to the vibration mass and the housing exclusively by means of a positive fit. Establishing an exclusive positive fit between the suspension elements, the vibration mass, and the housing significantly simplifies the assembly of the vibration damper and eliminates the need for potentially necessary additional components such as screws.

[0016] It is also advantageous if a hook element is formed on the vibration mass for each suspension element, which engages behind the suspension element in a form-fitting manner, or into which the suspension element engages in a form-fitting manner. Such a design provides a very advantageously simple means of achieving a form-fitting connection between the suspension elements, preferably elastomeric bands, and the vibration mass. The hook element could be round. However, it is also possible for the hook element to consist of – preferably three – straight sections, which are angled relative to each other – preferably at right angles.

[0017] Furthermore, an embodiment of the invention can be considered extremely promising if the suspension means are each connected to the vibrating mass by means of at least one clamping element and / or via a screw connection, thereby establishing a structurally simple and thus advantageously cost-effective force-locking and / or form-locking connection between the suspension means and the vibrating mass.

[0018] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that, in at least two edge regions of the housing, central recesses for attaching the suspension means are formed – in particular extending from and towards the housing base – against which the suspension means partially abut. The central recesses should have a substantially rectangular cross-section parallel to the housing plane, with optionally rounded corners, or a cuboid section with cylindrical sections formed on the end faces lying in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the central recesses. This allows a positive fit between the central recesses and the suspension means to be achieved by the suspension means partially encircling the central recesses.

[0019] It is also advantageous if clamping areas for the suspension elements – especially those designed as leaf springs – are provided between the center supports and a housing wall, so that a frictional connection exists between the suspension element and the center support, as well as between the suspension element and the housing wall. Thus, in addition to the positive connection achieved via the center supports, a frictional connection can also be provided, which, particularly when the suspension elements are designed as leaf springs, exists in the direction of an imaginary line connecting the suspension elements and fixes the suspension elements to the housing in this direction.

[0020] In a practical embodiment of the invention, a recess is formed in the housing – particularly in the housing base – facing away from the vibrating mass, which at least covers the extent of the vibrating mass – especially in the plane of the housing. This advantageously makes it possible to create a larger distance between the housing base and the vibrating mass in order to ensure the highest possible vibration amplitude of the vibrating mass perpendicular to the housing plane.

[0021] The invention allows for numerous embodiments. To further illustrate its basic principle, several of these are shown in the drawing and described below. The drawing shows in Fig. 1 a first embodiment of the vibration damper with elastomer band; Fig. 2 a second embodiment of the vibration damper with leaf spring; Fig. 3 A perspective view of the housing of the vibration damper.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows a top view of a first embodiment of the vibration damper 1, wherein the vibration mass 4 is movably arranged in the housing 3 of the vibration damper 1. The movable arrangement of the vibration mass 4 is achieved by means of suspension elements 2, which are designed as spring and / or damper elements and are arranged on both sides opposite the vibration mass 4. This is ensured by the fact that a recess 13, covering the dimensions of the vibration mass 4, is formed in the housing 3 on the side facing away from the vibration mass 4. Furthermore, the suspension elements 2, when installed in the housing 3, each have an elongated and curved section 5 facing the vibration mass 4, to which the vibration mass 4 is connected. Specifically, each of the suspension elements 2 is designed as an elastomeric band 6.In the two edge regions 9a, 9b of the housing 3, located on either side of the vibration mass 4, a central receptacle 10 for attaching the suspension means 2 is formed, extending from and towards the base 15 of the housing 3. The respective suspension means 2 partially rest against these central receptacles 10, or partially encircle them. Furthermore, a hook element 14 is formed on the vibration mass 4 for each suspension means 2. This hook element engages the suspension means 2 in a form-fitting manner, and the respective elastomer band 6 engages in this hook element. Thus, each of the suspension means 2, which is designed as an elastomer band 6, is connected to the vibration mass 4 and the housing 3 exclusively by a form-fitting connection.

[0023] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a top view of a second embodiment of the vibration damper 1 according to the invention, wherein the two suspension means 2, designed as leaf springs 7, are connected to the vibration mass 4 and the housing 3 via a positive fit and a frictional fit. Specifically, the two leaf springs 7 are each connected to the vibration mass 4 by means of the clamping element 8. In the two opposing edge regions 9a, 9b of the housing 3, as in the embodiment according to Fig. 1. The two central mountings 10 are formed for attaching the suspension means 2, against which the suspension means 2, in the form of leaf springs 7, partially rest. Furthermore, two clamping areas 12 for the suspension means 2 are formed between the central mountings 10 and the housing wall 11 of the housing 3 for each central mounting 10, so that a force-fit exists between the suspension means 2 and the central mountings 10, as well as between the suspension means 2 and the housing wall 11.

[0024] The Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the housing 3 without a housing cover that closes the housing 3 and rests on the housing wall 11. It shows in more detail how the central images 10 extend from the housing base 15 of the housing 3. Also shown are the components located in the housing 3. Fig. 1 and Fig. The recess 13, which is shaped away from the vibrating mass 4 shown in section 2, is more clearly perceptible. Reference symbol list 1 vibration damper 2 suspension devices 3 cases 4 Vibration mass Section 5 6 Elastomer band 7 leaf spring 8 clamping element 9a, 9b Edge area 10 Center shot 11 Housing wall 12 clamping range 13. Further Study 14 hook elements 15 Case base

Claims

[1] Vibration damper (1) comprising a vibration mass (4) movably arranged in a housing (3) via elastic suspension means (2), wherein the suspension means (2) are designed as spring and / or damping elements and each suspension means (2) has, at least in its installation position in the housing (3) of the vibration damper (1), an elongated and curved section (5) facing the vibration mass (4), with which the vibration mass (4) is connected, characterized by , that the suspension means (2) is an elastomeric band (6). [2] Vibration damper (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that each suspension means (2) is connected to the vibrating mass (4) and / or the housing (3) via a positive fit and / or a force fit. [3] Vibration damper (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that each suspension means (2) is connected exclusively to the vibrating mass (4) and the housing (3) by means of a positive fit. [4] Vibration damper (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the suspension means (2) is a leaf spring (7). [5] Vibration damper (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a hook element (14) is formed on the vibration mass (4) for each suspension means (2), which engages the suspension means (2) in a form-fitting manner. [6] Vibration damper (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the suspension means (2) are each connected to the vibrating mass (4) by means of at least one clamping element (8) and / or via a screw connection. [7] Vibration damper (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that in at least two edge areas (9a, 9b) of the housing (3) central recesses (10) are formed for attaching the suspension means (2), against which the suspension means (2) partially rest. [8] Vibration damper (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that clamping areas (12) for the suspension means (2) are formed between the central supports (10) and a housing wall (11) of the housing (3), so that a force connection exists between suspension means (2) and central support (10) and between suspension means (2) and housing wall (11). [9] Vibration damper (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that in the housing (3), facing away from the vibrating mass (4), a recess (13) is formed which at least covers the extent of the vibrating mass (4).

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